£16,000 investment in city squash courts

Squash players in Coventry have received a major boost thanks to the refurbishment of courts at St Augustine’s Sports Centre.

More than £16,000 has been invested so far in the three glass backed squash courts, which has created a state-of-the-art provision at the Radford courts.

More than 100 club members use the squash courts every week. They are also open on a turn up and play basis. As part of the funding the club has worked with England Squash and Racketball, CSW Sport and Coventry City Council and has set up a new group led by international coach Mo Sarwar.
Sessions for the new group take place weekly on Thursdays.

The refurbished courts will provide a better experience for everyone who plays at the club. The investment will also support the club's ambition to grow and to encourage more people to enjoy squash at every level.

It's important that local people can access modern, accessible and high quality sporting facilities and following this investment the courts really are fantastic. The more we can inspire people to take up and regularly take part in sport, the healthier local people will be.

The quality of these refurbished courts will certainly help to ensure people have a good experience and this is another example of how our ten year sports strategy is starting to make a difference.

The refurbishment has enhanced the club’s facilities and is now providing top class facilities for use by the local community.

Radford Community Sports Ltd Director Alan Kerr said:

These are exciting times for our club and this investment is great news for all of our members. Squash is fantastic sport and we hope that people will come and try the courts out. Squash is a great sport and we are a very friendly club with some great really good courses such as ‘The Big Hit’ to help introduce people to the game.

Coventry City Council has provided great support to us and we have used the sports strategy to secure the funding we needed to develop our facilities and encourage more people to take part at St Augustine’s and within the city.

We are also delighted to have received support from England Squash and racketball who will continue to support the club to grow its membership.

The refurbishment was funded with a grant of £8, 500 from England Squash and Racketball, £1,500 from Coventry City Council and the rest was raised by the club.

Jon Carney, Facilities Manager at England Squash & Racketball added:

England Squash & Racketball is delighted to have played a role in bringing the three courts at St. Augustine’s back up to ‘tip-top’ condition, we are aware that good quality, accessible facilities are crucially important for people to play and stay in our sport.

The proactive approach of Radford Community Sport and the support of Coventry City Council has enabled the realisation of this project which promises to provide a catalyst for squash and racketball participation in the area